Glossary · Formulation
What Is Surfactant System?
A surfactant system is the blend of surface-active agents that gives a cleansing product its foam and its cleaning action — the backbone of shampoos, body washes and facial cleansers. The system's composition decides mildness, foam quality and how the product behaves in hard water, and it is the main cost driver in a cleanser formula.
Why it matters when you source
Cleansers are made on a dedicated surfactant production route, which is why their MOQ (2,000 pcs on our line) differs from creams and lotions. When comparing supplier quotes on a shampoo, the surfactant system's quality — sulfate vs sulfate-free, co-surfactant ratio — is where the price difference lives.
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